Stingray & Jellyfish Stings
 

Stingray Sting

Stingrays have flat bodies with long, slender tails that have serrated spines. Their serrated spines can cause lacerations and puncture wounds. The spines also contain venom. They are not aggressive, so an injury from a stingray usually occurs when a swimmer or diver accidentally steps on one. Stingray stings are one of the most common dive- and beach-related injuries.

• Use fresh water to flush the wound.

• Soak the wound in hot water (the hotter the better) for relief.

• Use tweezers to remove the stingers.

• Scrub the wound with soap and fresh water.

• Keep the wound open, do not cover with stiches, bandade or tape. Apply pressure to stop the

  bleeding.       

• Apply proper antibiotic ointment if signs of infection occur, such as puss or redness.

Jellyfish Stings

Jellyfish are free-swimming, non-aggressive, gelatinous marine animals surrounded by tentacles. These tentacles are covered with sacs (nematocysts) that are filled with poison (venom) that can cause a painful to sometimes life-threatening sting.

Jellyfish are usually found near the surface of the water during times of diminished light, floating in the water column, or after washing up on the beach. Jellyfish stings are generally accidental - from swimming or wading into a jellyfish or carelessly handling them.

If you are stung by a box jellyfish, get medical help immediately. Soak the sting with vinegar, if you can, until help arrives. If the sting is on the arm or the leg, you can apply a pressure dressing, (like ACE wrap) around the sting. This will help slow down the spread of the toxin.

For other jellyfish stings, soak or rinse with vinegar for about 30 minutes to stop the toxins from spreading. If vinegar is not immediately available you can also rinse in sea water (do NOT use fresh water). It would be a good idea to go to the local pharmacy for jellyfish pain relief gel.

• Remove tentacles with a stick or a pair of tweezers.

• Apply shaving cream or baking soda to the area. Shave the area with a razor or credit card to remove any adherent nematocysts. Then reapply vinegar or alcohol. The shaving cream or paste prevents nematocysts that have not been activated from releasing their toxin during removal with the razor.

• Eye stings should be rinsed with a commercial saline solution like Artifical Tears, dab the skin around the eyes with a towel that has been soaked in vinegar. Do not place vinegar directly in the eyes.

• Mouth stings should be treated with 1/4 strength vinegar. Mix ¼ cup of vinegar with ¾ cup of water. Gargle and spit out the solution, do not drink or swallow. 

• For pain, take Tylenol, Ibuprofen or Motrin as recommended.